Today’s consumer-driven economy is fast-paced and shows no signs of slowing down. As a result, the most critical thing warehouses can have these days is proper inventory management. The right pallet racking system can ease these burdens and make your warehouse run more efficiently.
Warehouse pallet racking systems provide innovative storage solutions in which the product is stacked horizontally with multiple levels. The best racking system for warehouse uses differ for each warehouse but will make your work life so much easier. The right pallet racking system will minimize the needed storage space yet is also easily expandable.
Key Factors to Consider When Looking at Rack Systems
Every warehouse space has different needs required for a storage solution to increase productivity, inventory management, and reduce the number of damaged goods. However, some of the key factors you should consider when it comes to choosing the perfect rack system are:
- Your budget – This is one of the essential things to consider to ensure a pallet racking system is perfect for your warehouse.
- Maximizing floor space – Your racking system should utilize every foot of warehouse space.
- Utilizing storage capacity – Make sure you have enough space in the racks for all your items and that it can hold the eight of the inventory
- Aisle width – If you have bulky or heavy inventory that requires a forklift, you want to make sure your warehouse racking system can accommodate
- Expansion – As your business grows, can your rack keep up with a wider variety of inventory
- Inventory management – Does the system work well with how you take inventory
Selective Pallet Rack Systems
When it comes to racking systems in warehouses, this one is one of the most popular as it’s friendly on the wallet, comes in three different widths, resists wear and tear, and doesn’t require any special machinery to load or unload inventory from the racks.
Selective pallet racks can store a wide variety of inventory and hold different pallet sizes, making it a very versatile option. We only use certified steel that meets the strictest of requirements. Our steel racks are welded with either highly advanced AI or certified welders to prevent accidental bean displacement.
Pros:
- Direct access to pallets
- Simple inventory management
- Adaptable to your inventory dimensions
- Budget-friendly
- No specialized forklifts required
Cons:
- Limited storage height
- Requires more space as inventory volume increases
This warehouse racking system is perfect for those just getting into pallet racking and who don’t want to spend a great deal on their first setup.
Pallet Flow Racking Systems
If you run a high-volume warehouse and want to make sure that what comes in first goes out first, then this is your solution. This storage system is very versatile, storing a variety of different items.
Pallet flow racks can help traffic flow as one end has loaders, and the other has pickers/packers without the need for them to get in each other’s way. There are various ways these racks can be set up, such as in-line wheel tracks, conveyer tracks, or damping systems.
Pros:
- Provides high-density storage
- Uses the First In First Out, or FIFO, inventory system
- Helps traffic flow
- Elevated racks use no electricity for product movement
- Very versatile
Cons:
- More expensive
- Must be precise on pallet dimensions and weight of inventory
Pallet flow systems are perfect for the warehouse that holds perishables, but any business that wants a gravity flow storage solution will benefit from a pallet flow racking system.
Push Back Racking Systems
Our push-back system can hold up to five pallets in a single spot at once. With slightly inclined racks and rolling rails, there will always be a pallet at the front of the rack, allowing forklifts to grab easily, reducing damaged inventory.
Pros:
- Saves space
- High-density storage
- Pallets sequence forward gradually
- Low maintenance
- Fast loading and unloading times
Cons:
- The choice is limited for pallet selection
- It isn’t as compatible with perishables or quickly expiring goods
Any warehouse with high-density inventory will benefit from a push-back racking system. For those with limited warehouse storage space, this is also a great option.
Drive-In/Drive-Through Racking Systems
If you want to turn your entire warehouse into storage space, this is the pallet rack system. There are no aisles, and the only limit to the amount of storage you can have is how big your warehouse is.
There are two types of pallet racking systems. The drive-in racking system has only one loading and unloading point, which means the last thing in is the first thing out. The drive-through system is accessible from both ends.
Pros:
- Maximizes the square footage of your warehouse
- It has a ton of room for high-density products
- Storage depth is only limited by the size of your warehouse
- Cost-efficient
- Saves time stocking
Cons:
- Last In First Out, LIFO, storage system
- Damage to racks is more common due to high traffic
Drive-in racking systems are widely used by the manufacturing and food and beverage industries due to their ability to hold an exceedingly high product density.
Pick Module Racking Systems
This is an all-in-one storage solution that offers efficient picking racking. These racks come elevated, so palletized loads are moved by gravity through the system. Then, they get broken down into individual cartons or loose items before being packed and shipped out.
Pros:
- Optimum flow efficiency
- Reduces costly picking errors
- Helps efficiently run fast-paced warehouses
- Reduces picking times
- Handles both carton and loose products
Cons:
- Expensive
- It can’t be reconfigured easily
If your warehouse does so many orders that it makes your head spin, and you can invest serious capital, the pick modules are for you. They are used mainly by distribution centers capable of handling one hundred thousand orders a day.
Automated Systems
There are plenty of automated systems out there with different pallet racking types, and none of them are cheap. Still, if you want to reduce your variable and labor costs while increasing your automation and using your warehouse space more efficiently, then one of these systems could be perfect for you.
Automated systems include but are not limited to pallet shuttles, vertical buffer modules, horizontal carousels, and vertical lift modules.
Pros:
- Reduction in labor expenses
- Automates repetitive tasks
- Safer than other storage options
- Better utilization of warehouse space
- Automates inventory replenishment
Cons:
- Lengthy onboarding
- Regular repair and maintenance required
E-commerce, pharmaceuticals, cold storage industries often use an automated system, helping reduce human error and labor costs.
Wrapping it Up
When it comes to the perfect pallet racking systems for warehouses, figuring out your unique needs is key. Depending on budget, warehouse space, and how much technology you want involved is just the tip of the iceberg regarding finding the right storage solution for your warehouse environment and improving your warehouse efficiency.
